Zalzett Malti biz-Zalza (Maltese Sausage in Tomato Sauce)
Rustic Maltese sausage simmered in tomato sauce with onion, garlic, wine, herbs, and peas. Rich, hearty, and perfect with bread or pasta.
Ingredients
- 600g Maltese sausage
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 120ml red or white wine
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 150g peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Small handful fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a wide pan. Brown the Maltese sausage on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics: Add the onion to the same pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Deglaze: Pour in the wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Simmer the sauce: Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, bay leaf, and black pepper. Return the sausage to the pan, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes.
- Finish: Add the peas and cook uncovered for another 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Taste before adding salt, as Maltese sausage is already salty. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Zalzett Malti biz-Zalza is a hearty Maltese sausage dish simmered in tomato sauce with wine, onion, garlic, herbs, and peas. It is simple, robust home cooking, made for crusty bread, pasta, or potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Maltese bread to mop up the sauce
- Spoon over spaghetti or short pasta
- Pair with patata l-forn
- Add a green salad on the side
Traditional Notes & Tips
- Maltese sausage is usually salty, garlicky, and flavoured with coriander seed
- Taste before adding extra salt
- Some families split the sausage into smaller pieces before simmering
- Peas add sweetness and are common in home versions
- The sauce should be thick and glossy, not watery